HAPPY THANKSGIVING 2023 FROM "THE POODLES OF PARK AVENUE" BY KAREN-CHERIE COGANE!

Fast forward to 11/23/23: “Hi from Simone, the Park Avenue poodle, and I wrote a Thanksgiving tribute with my paw/hand, and hope you think it’s grand.

Frank, my astute dog walker translated with his I-phone, and this is my tome:

‘It is with jubilation that I anticipate the holiday celebration! Yay for Turkey Day!

Mom made a big feast for our family, helped by our talented chef, Jorge.

Enticing aromas of apple and pumpkin pie coming from my kitchen are bewitching.

Our soiree will last all day, and of course, the guys will watch football being played.

All around town will be heard ‘Touch Down and ‘Game On!’ As if there won’t be enough food, nachos and chips will put the fellas in a great mood.

Courtesy of my gifted mother, Grace, is the beautiful ambiance.

Vases of fragrant gardenias and roses are in our living room, and their lingering scent of nature’s perfume.

Vibrant gourd decorations are befitting of this happy occasion.

I can praise that my mom and dad look dashing, and this is coming from me, a poodle who loves fashion.

Mommy looks her very best, and it is not said in jest.

Decked out in royal blue colored suede boots and a floral blue dress, the outfit contrasts Grace’s highlighted tresses.

Let’s not talk about her upswept golden blond hair! Why, my mother looks like she stepped out of the pages of Vanity Fair!

She wears sparkling bling, consisting of sapphire necklace and earrings to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Dapper daddy, dressed in royal blue slacks and a blue sweater, couldn’t look better. How do you do, GQ?

Natch, my parents’ outfits pretty much match.

One stare at handsome Jorge, and our envious English butler, Ardsley rolls his eyes, and that’s no surprise.

Clad in preppy attire for the holiday, I think: ‘Can Ardsley actually be nice on this important day?’

This year it will be mom and pop, Jorge, me, and Ricardo, my black poodle beau. My human aunts/uncles, and cousins will celebrate Thanksgiving in their homes across the country.

After he finishes serving us dogs and the humans, Ardsley will join us for dinner.

I’m sure I will get pets galore. What poodle could ask for more? Even so, I’ll confess that I hope I don’t get a hair mess.

I went to my great hair salon ‘Ma Belle Chien’ two days ago, and Lily gave me the full treatment: my rose bath, hair trim, conditioner, blow dry, and massage. And she also gave me a pawdicure with foot rubs.

Frank, my dog walker, is home for the holiday with his wife and kids. So, Ardsley and Grace will switch off walking me. I don’t look forward to walking with the snippy Ardsley. Would you be?

Lexi, my Sheepdog BFF and her mom, Grace’s pal, will stop by to enjoy pieces of Jorge’s and mommy’s cakes and pies.

Our dining room table is set with fancy English bone china leaf printed dishes, Waterford glasses, and sterling silverware. Behold! The napkins are gold.

There is a lovely Fall themed floral centerpiece in the middle of the table. The flowers in gold, orange, and yellow are perfect for the holiday.

We pooches will sit at the one and only people table. We are ready, willing, and able!

Before we sit down to eat on this special day, I ponder the meaning of this holiday.

I hope the significance of my words will be heard.

Thanksgiving is the time to express a great deal of gratitude, and I emphasize this with a sincere attitude.

We hold the moments dear and celebrate Thanksgiving once a year.

All that we have cannot be measured and must be treasured.

Let us try to rejoice and give a voice.

Try to help someone in need and take heed. Do a wonderful deed. Don’t follow -- Lead.

Maybe you can donate food, clothing, or supplies.

Or perhaps you can volunteer, which is needed at this time of year.

If you extend a caring paw or hand, whether it’s a human or furry friend, their appreciation will never end.

Oui, I am a Park Avenue canine whose life is quite fine. You observe at first glance that I have curls, pompoms, and a poodle prance.

But there’s a lot more to me than your eyes can see.

I’m pampered, it’s true, but I’m not that different than you.

Material things are not what matters most; What really counts is spending time with my human folks.

Therefore, I give so many thanks to my mother and father; Ricardo, my love; Frank, my canine walker and poodle talker; Jorge, our chef and Ricardo’s person; Francine, my nanny, and Ardsley, our butler.

I even thank my Chihuahua walking partner, Mojito, who prefers cold French Fries and stale Fritos. But I’d probably miss him if he was gone, even though the delusional dog regards himself as Don Juan.

Mojito ponders a harem with dog girls that swirl. I’ll mention that the conceited, yet very insecure Chihuahua always wants to be the center of attention. Mojito longs for me, but that’s never going to be! He keeps me company on our daily walks, despite his balks.

Mojito is home with his people for the holidays. Hooray! Finally, his parents who are MDs, have a day that is free.

Thank goodness Mojito won’t be around. Lexi is one of his big crushes, and for sure, he’d make an uproar. Mojito loves Lexi’s Sheepdog black and white hair (fur), and Lexi is glad Mojito won’t be there.

Lexi is not interested in Mojito, and she’s told him so. But do you think the Chihuahua would ever take a definite 'No'?

I just hope the Chihuahua is nice to his mommy and pappy and that he’s not yappy. In between the Thanksgiving eats, maybe they’ll calm Mojito down, as Frank does, with CBD treats. That will make him feel more at ease.

Thanks to my Bichon friend, Charmaine and Lexi, my Sheepdog BFF.

Merci to the chefs and staff at Café Beaucoup, where we often lunch; I enjoy the French cuisine a bunch. I love going to my favorite haunt on our jaunts. Their steak tartare, tender filet mignon, and sirloin steak meat can’t be beat.

And I’m grateful to Lilly, my hair stylist, who is the best. I love seeing her and if I was a cat, I’d purr. I’m so relaxed when she massages my back. She gives me gardenia, rose, or lavender baths, shampoos me, and styles my hair with much care. My, oh, my, I enjoy getting a blow dry. She makes me look very pretty and says I’m witty. She thinks I’m sublime and understands me most of the time.

I know Raymond and Grace know they’re lucky as can be to have such an elegant poodle like me. I feel footloose and fancy free when they parade fashionista me. Oui! Oui!

Thanksgiving is the time to dine on human treats and eat, and eat, and eat. Then everyone gets drowsy and puts up their paws or feet.

Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, thyme, and sage take center stage, as spices are the rage.

Where do you begin? Just dig in!

Why not start by sampling a few bites of the petite culinary delights?

But eating too many hors d’oeuvres will add to your curves.

Surely, indulge in turkey, cranberries, yams, stuffing, squash, veggies, and much more. Be careful since you want to be able to make it outside the door!

Jorge made a green bean casserole, and it’s in one big yellow Creuset bowl. Added Cream of Mushroom soup and topped it with French fried onions. I might in haste, sneak a taste.

But I feel guilty about eating turkey and hope it can forgive me. I see them on Long Island, hear them making gobbling sounds, and consider them my animal friends.

Now are you ready to hear about the pure sugar bliss? Jorge made three pumpkin pies, a cranberry/blueberry/blackberry pie (topped with raspberries), apple pie with vanilla frosting; red velvet cake with cream cheese icing; double layered chocolate cake with Grand Marnier whipped cream in the middle and maple ganache icing; and fresh peach and pear sorbet! Yay!

And for Thanksgiving it’s just our immediate family, not an army, and Lexi and her mommy, maybe! It is no wonder that our butler is filled with jealousy! Jorge is the catch of the century!

Jorge said he wants to cheer everyone up, and the way I see it, I’m one very fortunate pup! Again, he went all out, and that’s what it’s all about!

Mom and dad are excited and can’t believe the array of dessert choices. But it’s Jorge, the super man!

Please, Grace, give Jorge a big Christmas bonus from all of us.

Grace baked much, and dad loves her culinary touch. She made brownies, blondies, reddies (made from Red Velvet cake), and blueberry muffins. Yes, with all these goodies, am I going to be poodle mouth stuffing!

Come on, don’t think I won’t taste. Wouldn’t want to put mom’s and Jorge’s gourmet talent to waste.

There will be lots of lattes (including Pumpkin Spice, of course), cappuccino, brewed coffee, apple cider, soda, and wine. Are the grapes straight from the vine?

But I must watch my poodle shape, so I don’t look like a huge bear or an overgrown ape.

I’m always on show! Don’t you know?

Whether I’m wearing an on trend doggie outfit, or in my birthday suit, it’s important to be fit.

So, before gobbling down too much, my advice is to think twice.

Eat in spurts and remember your girth.

Then have some aerobic fun and maybe also do a short run.

Dine on the delicious bird, but before you get too full, head to the treadmill. Just be sure not to rush and spill.

And why not perform an impromptu dance? Go ahead and take a chance. Now you won’t be judged on reality TV or win a ‘Dancing with the Stars’ mirror ball trophy, but you’ll be pleased as can be!

Spoon in sweet potatoes with gooey marshmallows, and you’ll be a delighted girl or fella.

When Tchaikovsky’s ‘The Nutcracker’ is playing, mommy and I will be happily swaying. The melody of ‘The Waltz of the Flowers’ mesmerizes me for hours. Mom studied Professional Ballet with an international ballet star and performed it in 'The Nutcracker' when she was a girl. She still loves to twirl. It’s no wonder they named her ‘Grace,’ as she glides, pirouettes, and chasses effortlessly through space.

Then do upbeat skips to the beat and return to something to eat.

Before the sweets come, how about squeezing in another indoor lap or a run? The humans might think you’re crazy but not lazy.

You’re not being rude; You just want to offset the calories in the rich food.

Even if you have to adjust your routine, you can remain lean.

Pay attention to your waist, but just not in too much haste. Keep your pace.

While you savor the flavors and dishes of Thanksgiving Day, the pounds can still melt away.

Don’t be stressed. Just give it your best.

These tips apply to dogs and people, too. You may have to be a little discreet, but if you overeat, get on your feet.

Perhaps tell them that you’re using the ladies’ room or getting air. Be very polite, but devil may care.

Go ahead and enjoy, whether you’re a girl or a boy.

And remember, if you have a running machine, it may not be far away and is waiting for you today.

If you are out of steam, head back to the table. Just be ready and able -- to resume exercise and be wise.

And one caveat: If you can’t burn the calories today, plan on doing it soon, on another day.

Concerning when to refrain from eating and stop, please do so before your buttons or snaps pop!

The tryptophan in the turkey makes you sleepy, so plop on the couch, or sit on your person’s lap, and take a nap.

Thank goodness, people can drink coffee. But when will they make it for doggies?

Happy Thanksgiving to all: Dogs and their humans; children and their parents; wives and husbands; boyfriends/girlfriends of pooches and people; relatives; dog walkers; turkeys; chefs; nannies; butlers; stylists; friends; neighbors; baristas; restaurateurs and their staff!

And Happy Petsgiving to all pets!

An extra big hug and merci to Raymond and Grace, my family, for the love they give me. I’m full of glee and really appreciate how they take care of me.

My parents provide me with a wonderful roof over my head and a amazingly comfy human-sized bed. Not to mention all the scrumptious food which puts me in an elated and satisfied mood.

To Ricardo, you are the best beau, my everlasting love, and I’ll shout it to the stars and sky above! Thank you for the romance at night and for making every day bright. Je t'aime!

Remember to watch the great National Dog Show today at noon on NBC and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade before on NBC!

Eat, play, relax, and have a wonderful Turkey Day!'"

Written by: Simone, THE grateful Park Avenue poodle, helped by Karen-Cherie Cogane